BY BUKOLA ADEBAYO
In today’s world where deadline is the watchword, sitting down to a balanced diet or home cooked meal which is said to be more nutritious can be a tall order. It is not news that many are not getting the nutrients they need from the food they eat these days.
We need not worry; science has found a way for us to make up for all the lost nutrients by the use of supplements.
Evidence continues to show that supplements can enhance our health and wellbeing in different ways when taken properly.
Consultant physician, Dr. Femi Omolola, defines dietary supplements as substances that contain vitamins, minerals, herbs or other plants, amino acids which can be taken in form of pill, capsule, tablet, or liquid form.
He notes that even though supplements cannot cure chronic diseases such as cancer, diabetes and stroke, they have been proved to prevent them.
Omolola explains that most popular nutrient supplements contain multivitamins, calcium and vitamins B, C and D, nutrients that are essential in the prevention of some diseases such as pneumonia, heart diseases, osteoporosis and other diseases of the bone and blood.
“We need to get from plant-based sources some nutrients that the body does not manufacture in the right quantity or the ones that we cannot get fully from our foods. However, not everyone eats foods that contain these supplements. Those who do usually don’t eat enough.
“That is why taking supplements, which are already in the concentrated forms of these nutrients, is important.”
Cancer prevention
The consumption of some dietary supplements may also help prevent cancer. According to researchers, a number of essential vitamins, including vitamins A, C and E, act as antioxidants in the body and also neutralise chemicals (free radicals) that encourage oxidative damage to body cells.
The National Cancer Institute explains that oxidative damage to body cells promotes cancer development. Studies on the effect of antioxidant supplements in preventing cancer in humans show that consuming moderate amounts of antioxidant vitamin supplements may prove beneficial to your health.
According to a study in the journal Clinical Cancer Research, the risk of aggressive prostate cancer was four to five times lesser in men who take vitamin D supplements.
Researchers at the University of Eastern Finland found also that people who take vitamins C, A and E supplements have a lesser risk of developing certain diseases, as these nutrients boost immunity and the body’s defenses to fight diseases and other respiratory infections.
USN advocates use of safe supplements
Country Representative, Ultimate Sports Nutrition, a leading healthy lifestyle and sports nutrition supplement brand, Mr. Mike Ojeme, notes that to get the desired nutrients and results mentioned by the experts, it’s important to take quality and safe supplements.
According to him, not all brands of food or diet supplements in the market are of the right quality or even contain the beneficial nutrients that are listed on their labels.
Ojeme, who gave this caution when the USN inaugurated its “health and wellbeing, muscle gain and building and the weight loss and toning lifestyle and nutrition” supplement brands in Lagos, advises individuals to only buy supplements that are scientifically tested to be safe.
“Quality and safety is the watchword when taking supplements. Make sure you get the correct brand that has been approved by the National Agency for Food Drugs Administration and Control. Follow the guidelines for its use, take the right dosage, so you do not abuse it or put your health in danger. For athletes and others, go with products that do not contain banned substances.”
He adds that even though supplements are most popular among professional athletes, people of all ages who do one form of exercise or the other stand to benefit from taking some nutritional supplements that can build their stamina to help them cope better with the combined stress of such activities and the stress of daily living.
Ojeme says, “Nigerians are becoming more health conscious, such that they now engage in exercises, jogging and other professional workouts in local gyms in their neighbourhoods.
“You will need sports nutritional supplements that would improve your metabolism, boost your energy levels and generally provide the best possible support for this emerging lifestyle,”
Dietary supplements are not only for people that want to shed weight. According to Ojeme, there are nutrient supplements that are beneficial for those who want to gain weight and other body builders.
He states, “Protein supplements are very essential in building and repairing tissues of the body. They also help in maintaining your body mass. They are easily absorbed by the body and very efficient in body maintenance.”
Ojeme, however, states that nutritional supplements are not supposed to take the place of food or any other diet or medication, as they are meant to supplement the levels of nutrients in the body.
“Supplements are not meant to take the place of good food or a balanced diet. You must eat well and stay healthy while taking supplements to get their full benefits,” he adds.
source: PUNCH.
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